There’s something about fried food that makes it extra delicious and flavorful – it’s almost irresistible. Using a deep fryer to create yummy food is not as difficult as many would think. However, cleaning a deep fryer – now that takes some effort. Fortunately, if you know-how, it’s not very tricky, either. It does take some time, but once you’re done, you’ll feel great about your deep fryer and the food you’ll be making in it. Wondering how to clean a deep fryer? Let’s dive in!
What You Will Need
Before you fully understand how to clean a deep fryer, you’ll need to get all the necessary equipment ready:
- Water
- Grease-dissolving detergent
- Baking soda
- Scrubber (plastic) or soap filled with steel wool
- Scraper
- Container for oil
- Cloths or towels
You will need a plastic scrubber for fryers that is Teflon-coated and soap with steel wool for metal deep fryers.
Now that you know what you will need, let’s look at how you will clean your deep fryer.
How to Clean a Deep Fryer
If you have been using your deep fryer recently, you will (obviously) have to turn it off. You will also have to let the oil cool down if it’s still hot or warm. Once the oil has cooled completely, you have to drain it into a clean container. You can reuse the oil if it’s still in good condition, so don’t just get rid of it. If you feel it isn’t usable anymore, though, get rid of it responsibly.
You can approach your nearest recycling facility to find out if they recycle cooking oil. If they don’t, you can collect the oil in sealable jars and neatly dispose of it. You can also freeze the oil if you want to avoid leaking. Whatever you do, do not dump the oil down the drain. You will clog up the drain, and this will lead to gross and nasty results.
Now that the oil is out, you can start to clean the deep fryer. Using the scraper, scrape off all the build-up from the sides. You may not be able to get rid of everything but get as much as you can off. Dispose of the build-up.
Your next step is to fill the deep fryer with water. You should fill it with as much water as you would oil. Then, add a little bit of grease-dissolving detergent to the water and mix it together (a product such as Dawn comes highly recommended).
Next, you will switch on the deep fryer and heat up the water. You want it to start boiling. Leave it for a few minutes. This way, you will get the oil to loosen up. Once you are satisfied that all the oil has been loosened and removed, you can switch off the deep fryer.
Let the water cool down and then drain it. Now, you will have to wipe the fryer clean with paper towels, a sponge, or a cloth. You should try to get as much of the leftover oil out as possible. By boiling out your deep fryer in this manner, you will prevent any future food you make from tasting off.
Then, fill a bowl with a water and dish detergent mixture. You will use the scrubber with the mixture to scrub off any remaining stubborn oil.
When you have done this, rinse your deep fryer with clean water. If you find there is still a film of oil (oil can be very tricky sometimes), you can remove it with baking soda. Mix a little bit of baking soda with some water to form a paste. Rub this paste onto the fryer’s surface where you still have oil. Use a cloth or sponge and rub the paste in circular movements until the oil is removed. You can also use the baking soda paste to clean off any oil on the outside of the fryer.
When you are satisfied that all the oil has been removed, rinse your fryer with clean, lukewarm water. Dry out the fryer with a soft towel and allow any wet parts to dry completely before turning it on again.
Extra tips and advice
If you find yourself unfortunate enough to have a very dirty deep fryer, you can consider using oven cleaners.
But a word of caution: Be careful when using strong chemicals when cleaning your deep fryer. Always make completely sure that you have rinsed out all chemicals. You do not want any of the chemicals to transfer to your cooking oil.
Very old and tough oil stains are removable, as well. You can make them ‘new’ by spraying some WD-40 on them. Yet again, be careful to wash off all the cleaner (and WD-40) afterward.
Another option for tricky-to-clean deep fryers is vinegar. This natural product is really great for getting rid of sticky residue. Mix hot water and vinegar and use your scrubber to apply it to the difficult areas. Leave it on for a while and then scrub off the stubborn stains. Thoroughly rinse off the vinegar afterward.
You should always do your best to not get any electrical components wet. However, life isn’t always simple, and if you did get something wet, let it dry completely before using your deep fryer again. If you don’t, you can permanently damage something.
You should regularly clean out your deep fryer so you can make fresh and delicious food that doesn’t taste disgusting. Using a dirty deep fryer affects the quality of the food you produce. Boiling out the deep fryer as described here is one of the best and most effective ways to clean it.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your deep fryer does take a little bit of effort and time, but it is a necessary activity. You should take the time to do so every 3 to 6 months, depending on how much you use it. Once you’re done, you will feel enthusiastic about starting to use it again, especially if you pour in brand-new oil. If you stick to the advice and tips shared here, you will have a clean deep fryer with little effort.
Photo Credit: Rodolphe Courtier (CC)
